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Archive for April, 2008

Jason and Edyta reprised their Quickstep, darn I was hoping for the NFL Paso Dobles. But the Quickstep was great.

Showing defeat to the lift the Judges decided to allow one lift, in character with the dance, beginning next week. Dance Center broke down the remaining Celebs in the competition. Kenny Mayne is really getting into the eye shadow, where Jerry Rice is really into those shiny bright shirts, their break down and humor delightful and a bit bent.

But the strangest turn of events was the night’s Musical Guest….Def Lepard performing Pour Some Sugar On Me. Now I love Def Lepard (side note, a Def Lepard concert was the only concert I ever walked out of…that first tour was hideous…thank heavens they have vastly improved.)

Six Celebs, Six Professionals, and a dozen dances rounded out the first night of double dancing for the dance duos. Ballroom opened the night, Latin dances closed out the evening with a change in the leader board, the first since the opening week of competition. So how did the dancers fare in the Ballroom competition tonight?

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani opened the night with a Tango. I missed this dance, but Ducky was impressed.

So were the judges who scored them straight nines, for 27 points.

Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke danced a Viennese Waltz for their first number. A lovely dance that showed tight footwork, lilting movement, romance, and wonderful shoulders.

The judges didn’t like it as well as I did, scoring them 8 – 8 – 9 for 25 points

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas delievered up the second Viennese Waltz of the night. Very nice, good feet, good timing, and very nice musicality.

For the first time Kristi and Mark do not lead in the scoring after receiving 9 – 8 – 9 for 26 from the judges.

Mario and Karina Smirnoff danced the Foxtrot. I thought it romantic, but unremarkable, unmemorable.

The judges were not overly pleased either scoring them straight 8s, for 24 points.

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough danced a Tango for their first number. Terrible music that made me really lose the dance. The choreography was good, but that hideous music.

The judges scored them straight 9s, for 27 points.

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinski danced their way through a Quickstep. The footwork was good, it was a fun dance that reflected the upbeat music.

The judges liked it too scoring them 10 – 9 -10 for a 29 to take the leader board after round one.

In the Latin Round the couples danced in the same order…

Marisa & Tony Rumba’d. Romantic but for me slow.

The judges scored them 9 – 8 – 8 for 25 points, and a 52 total on the night

Cristian & Cheyrl began a Samba, but a “severer” muscle cramp in Cristian’s left bicep cut short the number. What I did note was a few missed steps and moves, but he injured himself so early it was hard to tell.

The judges scored them straight 7s for 21, a 46 total on the night.

Kristi & Mark Cha Cha’d. This piece offered good musicality, great energy, and fast footwork. I’m not a fan of throwing hip hop into the fray, but I liked the dance overall.

The judges scored them 10 – 8 – 10 for 28 points, and a 54 total on the night.

Mario & Karina Mambo’d. The judges all commented on how the fast Latin dances suited Mario. I thought they were a bit out of sync. The dance offered good musicality, and footwork.

The judges scored them straight 9s for 27 points, a total 51 on the night/

Shannon & Derek Mambo’d as well. She tries so hard, but in truth she’s not a dancer. She doesn’t know how to move from one movement into the next – so it is finish – stand – start.

The judges scored them straight 8s for 24, a 51 total on the night.

Jason & Edyta closed out the night with the NFL Paso Dobles. Being a long time Dolphins fan I LOVED IT! The dance was…er… interesting. Who knew you could Paso to the Monday Night Football Theme?

The judges scored them 9 – 8- 9 for 26, a 55 total on the night and the Lead.

At the end of the night the leader board was as follows:

55 – Jason & Edyta

54 – Kristi & Mark

52 – Marisa & Tony

51 – Mario & Krina

51 – Shannon & Derek

46 – Cristian & Cheryl

Tomorrow night will see the return of Dance Center, Mario Lopez, and special musical guest… Def Lepard (which just blows Tom Bergeron’s mind.) Until then

Yes, I know it had to happen, but I am bummed. Marlee Matlin leaves Dancing With The Stars in Week five. I’m not even giving you a build up to the results. Why? Because she has done what so many who can hear couldn’t, she convincingly ballroom danced her way into the hearts of Americans everywhere. Marlee Matlin you are an inspiration, to me, to little girls who yearn to dance, to the deaf who see what you have over come and conquered.

The encore dance of the night was the country ensemble dance. We could have done without this encore, the choreography was really lacking.

The bottom two of the night

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez

Mario and Karina Smirnoff

Macy’s Stars of Dance featured Riverdance. I have been lucky enough to have seen the full production twice, breath taking. Even the little snippet we received tonight – Delightful.

We are down to seven dancing partnerships and the action should be heating up. The dances are becoming more complex, the Celebs more daring in the tricks they will take on, and the cream has definitely risen to the top.

While Kristi Yamaguchi continues to pull down the big numbers on the heels of her beautiful routines, Jason Taylor and Mario continue to challenge her. Also stepping up to the plate are Cristian, Marisa, and Elisabeth. This is undoubtedly one of the most talented cast of Dancing With The Stars, if not the most talented.

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinski delivered a cheeky Cha Cha. He needs to learn what to do with his hands and he was counting his beat, but the dance was good.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for a 27 on the night

Elizabeth Shannon and Derek Hough Rumba’d. Personally I thought Shannon did a very nice job, she has learned wonderful hands, she sells the dance by staying in character (but I think it’s easy because she’s falling hard) it was a very romantic Rumba.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for a 24

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez danced the Mambo. This woman is a winner through and through. Each week I am amazed at what she tackles and how close she comes to acing it sans hearing. But the Mambo requires a connection with the music that Matlin will eternally lack – a pity because if she could over come that one obstacle, she would be a dancing force to be reckoned with. Have you noticed how much weight she has lost? Five weeks ago she had a puffy tummy, now she is borderline rock hard abs and a six pack. She looks great.

The judges scored them straight 7s for 21 and the lowest score of the night.

Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke opened the night with an elegant Foxtrot. Very nice lines, wonderful physical attitude – arms – shoulders – hands. The dance was lilting and romantic.

The judges scored them straight 9’s for 27 points on the night

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani delivered a Viennese Waltz to a terrible, hideous music choice. Despite the musical director’s departure from sanity the dance was lovely featuring beautiful lines, flowing rhythm, and lovely hands. Her eye shadow on the other hand was a train wreck.

The judges scored them 9 – 8 – 9 for 26 points on the night

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas dished up a quirky, fun Jive. Full of energy, entertaining moves, good character and musicality. Kristi offers great timing, toes, and kicks.

The judges scored them straight 10’s for the first 30 of the season

Mario and Karina Smirnoff danced a smoldering, sexy hot Rumba making Len a bit uncomfortable (actually I think he enjoyed it quite well)

The judges scored them 9 – 9 – 10 for 28 on the night

Tomorrow night the Stars of Dance will be Riverdance (I’ve been lucky enough to see Riverdance twice on stage, it’s one of those things I can’t get enough of.) Ashley Simpson will be the musical guest. Until then…

Hot and spicy ruled Monday night’s performance show, with Kristi Yamaguchi and Ballas taking the top numbers for the night with 29 judges points. Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel garnered the lowest points with a 21 total from the judges.

The encore performance of the week was Kristi and Mark’s Rumba, I love hearing Bruno Tominolli say Rumba, it sounds like Rooomba, like a vaccum.

Cristian & Cheryl delivered a hot Rumba. Their chemistry is great, the dance was good, Cheryl was hot, I want to take smoldering classes from her.

The judges scored them 7 – 8 – 8 for a 23 on the night.

Marlee & Louis danced a Samba. This woman amazes me, the judges saw things I apparently missed, but I am so in awe of her courage to over come dancing. And her hand are getting much better. A few stumbles, but good musicality, good movement.

The judges scored them 7 – 7 – 8 for 22

Kristi & Mark danced a Rumba. It wasn’t as smoldering as I’d have liked, but it was romantic and perfect. Her lines and grace are phenomenal.

The judges scored them 9 – 10 – 10 for the highest score of the night, 29 points

Shannon & Derek performed a Samba. It was fast, fun, sexy. Good footwork, nice hands, but still a bit stiff.

The judges scored them 8 – 8 – 7 for a 23 on the night

Jason & Eydta closed out the night with a Rumba. Very nice, good chemisty, good musicality. But she always shows off herself instead of her partner, even Ducky noticed this and he adores Eydta.

The judges scored them straight 9’s for 27 (and said the same thing about her needing to show off her partner instead of posing.)

Tomorrow night another celeb will go home, the leader board places Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas at the top with a total 29 points, while Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel sit at the bottom going into tonight’s voting with 21 points. Who will go home? Tune in tomorrow. Until then…

We are two celebrities down, and eight to go on the way to crowning the victor of Dancing With The Stars Season Six. Even after tonight’s performance Kristi Yamaguchi and her partner Mark Ballas seem the front runners, but tonight’s performances showed they had competition.

The fiery passion of the Paso Dobles and the sweeping romantic Viennese Waltz were tonight’s two dances, let’s see who did what…

Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas opened the night with a fiery Paso Dobles it ha great attitude, fast footwork, and sucky music.

The Judges liked it, they scored them 10 – 9 – 10 for a total of 29

Priscella Presley and Louis Van Amstel danced a lovely Viennese Waltz; personally I thought they spent too much time apart on the dance floor. The movement was lovely and lilting, but they definitely did a lift.

The judges scored them 7 – 7 – 8 for a total of 22 on the night

Adam Carolla and Julie Ann Hough danced a Paso Dobles. Maybe CarrieAnn Inaba summed it up best, and I paraphrase, “It was beautiful, with graceful spins and turns, and then you got off the unicycle.” Adam just isn’t a dancer. But he is entertaining.

The judges scored them 6 – 7 – 6 for a total of 19 on the night

Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez danced a Viennese Waltz. Not bad, she kept her feet on the ground, nice and romantic movement and attitude, she does need to learn to finish her movement with her hands.

The judges scored them 8 – 8 – 8 for a total of 24 on the night

Mario and Karina Smirnoff drew the Paso Dobles this week. Great dance, great body attitude, great foot work, and wonderful posture.

The judges scored them 8 – 7 – 9 for a total of 24 on the night

Jason Taylor and Eydta Slinwinski performed a very nice Viennese Waltz. He carried wonderful body posture and attitude through out the entire dance, very lilting and romantic.

The judges scored them 10 – 9 – 10 for a total of 29 on the night

Cristian De la Fuentè and Cheryl Burke danced a fiery Paso Dobles. It was loud, and Cheryl’s choreography was fabulous. Great passion.

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani finished out the night with the Paso Dobles. She works so very hard, but she doesn’t have the attitude in her fingers.

So the top of the leader board at the end of performance night was Kristi Yamiguchi and Mark Ballas, and Jason Taylor and Eydta Sliwinsi both teams having garnered a 29 from the judges. In the bottom of the pile is Adam Carolla and JulieAnn Hough. Who goes home tomorrow night? That is up to the voters.

Dancing With The Stars brought us the up beat Jive and the sultry, tumultuous Tango. Who is going home, is somewhat of a surprise to me. So let’s get to it.

During the week, Steve Guttenberg’s dance pro, Anna Trebunskaya, was sick so her husband Jonathan Roberts stepped in to her place to tutor Guttenberg in the Tango. This week’s encore performance was really a first as Guttenberg and Roberts, both resplendent in black tails and ties, took to the floor in a steam Tango.

This week’s musical guest was the Australian superstar Kylie Minogue. Macy’s Stars of Dance featured the awesome technique of the Alvin Alley Dance Troupe performing a segment of their signature dance, “Revelations.” Mesmerizing.

The action stepped up tonight as half the teams took on the tempestuous Tango and the jumping Jive. But I was left a little confused and wanting. The musical selections tonight were peculiar to say the least.

I missed the majority of Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez’ Jive. What I saw rocked, it seemed maybe her arms could have been a little more controlled and her fingers finished, but wow, I saw a whole 30 seconds of the dance. To me Matlin is a marvel.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for a total 21 on the evening

Steven Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya performed a Tango. I personally don’t’ think it is possible for Guttenberg to look angry or aloof, but the guy gave his all and best to the Tango, performing very good footwork.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for an evening total of 21

Christian De la Fuentè and Cheryl Burke danced a Jive. I did not like the musical selection. I did not like the choreography, although it might have fit some other piece of music. And I noted a few missteps on both dancers parts.

The judges disagreed and scored them 8 – 8 – 9 for a 25 total on the night

Mario and Karina Smirnoff danced a Tango. Mario was definitely off his mark tonight, but the music selection didn’t help. No musicality at all, weird, just really weird music for a Tango.

The judges scored them 7 – 6 – 8 for a total 21

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough drew the Jive. The dance really fits her, but she had some floppy toes, instead of sharp pointed kicks. The energy was great through the whole dance.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for 24

Adam Carolla and JulieAnn Hough danced a Tango. Great choreography and Adam’s sucked in cheeks.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for 21 points

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani danced a Jive. Some missteps, but I feel the choreography let them down. It seemed a bit pause dance, pause dance. And I give credit to Marisa I would have had tears running down my face. She’s a trouper.

The judges scored them 6 – 7 – 6 for a 19, the lowest score of the night

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska performed the last Jive of the night. Good choreography that fit his physical build, good footwork, and fun.

The judges scored them 8 – 7 – 8 for 23 on the night

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas served their Tango piping hot. The music was just too darn weird again, but the great choreography shown through. Good physical attitude and position, great footwork.

The judges liked it too, scoring them straight 9’s for 27 on the night.

Tomorrow night one will go home, and nine will remain. Who will it be? Hard to tell, Marisa Jaret Winokur received the lowest score on the night from the judges. But Adam Corolla, while scoring better was necessarily a better dancer. Tomorrow night will tell.

The night will also feature another Macy’s Stars of Dance, Tuesday’s treat, The Alvin Alley Dance Company. Can’t wait. Until then.